If Brian Urlacher gets into the HoF, shouldnt Zach Thomas get in also?

Think both will get in easily.

 

Where's fumble recoveries and TDs?

Also, didn't Urlacher play in a Super Bowl or two? I know he had one for sure.

 

I'm gonna say it, but I'd take Zach over Urlacher all day, every day. I'm sure I'll be flamed, but I don't care.

 

Zach for sure! Urlacher is half the LB Zach was... Still my favorite player ever.

 

much as I love Zach, I'll take a healthy Urlacher over Zach. problem is health was an issue for Urlacher - so it muddies up the argument.
as far as the awards for both, pretty similar, but at the end of the day, I don't think Zach was ever seriously considered for DPOY, while Urlacher won it. that could easily be the fine line that allows Urlacher in and keeps Zach on the waiting list.

 

It's an interesting question.

 

I'm just glad we're not on Skype doing this forum....

 

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/U/UrlaBr00.htm

scroll down and look at "similiar player" Zach is in every timeframe...these guys are one in the same, some stats here and there slant each others way....but yeah FF Thomas gets in if he does....

Urlacher will have an easier time getting in because and I maybe pessimistic here but he is the darling of the media where for Miami anybody not named Marino isn't....

 

My heart is with ZT...he was much more dominant in his D's than Urlacher was in his. They are different guys and stats could lie a bit as to how important each was to their respective teams. Zach doesn't have Urlacher's status, but I see ZT ending in the HOF, although not necessarily a first ballot guy...

Heck, I'm still mad Kooch isn't in the HOF....c'mon....All Pro (not just pro bowlers, but All Pro) in 3 different positions along the OL ?? Give me a break...

 

Which bring me to my last sentence the post above yours....

 

Zach too was one of my favorites growing up. Him and JT. Both are HOFamers imo.

 

So here's the comparison to be made:

All Pro 1st Team: Zach Thomas 5x, Brian Urlacher 4x
All Pro 2nd Team: Zach Thomas 2x, Brian Urlacher 1x
Pro Bowls: Zach Thomas 7x, Brian Urlacher 8x
Championships: Zach Thomas 0x, Brian Urlacher 0x
All Decade Teams: Zach Thomas 1x (2000's), Brian Urlacher 1x (2000's)
Defensive Player of the Year: Zach Thomas 0x, Brian Urlacher 1x
Tackles: Zach Thomas 1733, Brian Urlacher 1358
Turnovers (FF, INT): Zach Thomas 34, Brian Urlacher 34
Touchdowns: Zach Thomas 4, Brian Urlacher 4
Sacks: Zach Thomas 20.5, Brian Urlacher 41.5
Games Started: Zach Thomas 182, Brian Urlacher 180

 

Not sure if this is a relevant stat, but tackles per game played:

Brian Urlacher - 7.4

Ray Lewis - 8.9

Zach Thomas - 9.4

 

Irrespective of Urlacher getting in, ZT is a hall of famer.

Sent from my phone using Fapatalk 2

 

It's my opinion they should both get in, championship or not. They way these guys both played the position, especially Zach for being undersized, they both are worthy. These stats, show just that IMO.

 

I changed the TD counts. The original poster said Zach had 4 to Urlacher's 2 but Urlacher also had 4 TDs.

So I have the following:

Advantage: Zach Thomas
All Pro 1st Team: 5 vs. 4
All Pro 2nd Team: 2 vs. 1
Tackles: 1733 vs. 1358
Forced Fumbles: 17 vs. 12
Games Started: 182 vs. 180
Impact Tackles Per Year: 17.7 vs. 16.1

Advantage: Brian Urlacher
Defensive Player of the Year: 1 vs. 0
Pro Bowl: 8 vs. 7
Interceptions: 22 vs. 17
Sacks: 41.5 vs. 20.5
Passes Defensed: 85 vs. 38
Tackles for Loss Per Year: 8.6 vs. 8.3

Advantage: Nobody
Championships: 0 vs. 0
Defensive Rookie of the Year: 1 vs. 1
Touchdowns: 4 vs. 4

 

That's the reality. Both of these players should be in.

 

This is interesting. Some more STATS for the argument. Some guy named @JPStats posted another stat comparison.

Tackles Per Year: Zach Thomas 106.4, Brian Urlacher 93.7, Ray Lewis 103.7
TFLs Per Year: Zach Thomas 8.3, Brian Urlacher 8.6, Ray Lewis 7.6
Stuffs Per Year: Zach Thomas 7.1, Brian Urlacher 7.4, Ray Lewis 7.1
Impact Tackles Per Year: Zach Thomas 17.7, Brian Urlacher 16.1, Ray Lewis 17.6

 

Zach was also defensive rookie of the year, no?

edit: yes, he was

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zach_Thomas#Awards_and_honors

 

That's correct.

But so was Urlacher, evidently. LOL.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...ian-urlacher-retires-20130522,0,5749970.story

 

and they both were 54

um... has anyone...um...seen Zach and Brian together at the same time?

 

Pretty eerie how close these two are. I guess my main beef is that Urlacher is being widely considered the a Hall of Fame lock and you don't hear people talk about Zach that way.

 

makes you think. Could be that Zach was overshadow by JT while Urlacher was the only guy in Chicago.

 

Also considering urlahcer has far superior measurables (speed, size etc) it should be an ever bigger nod towards Zach for matching his output.

 

Zach Thomas wasn't much of a personality. He was a cool guy, however he never was a face of the franchise type of guy.

 

I don't see a genuine reason to flame you Fin. Both great LB's. Ive asked the question about Zach and Canton a few times.

 

The reality is that won't matter because it's all about who was the best on the field for the longest.

But I do think the story angle ends up playing a part in this and from that standpoint yes the fact that Zach Thomas really had no business being as good as he was and therefore may be one of the most instinctive players to ever play the game at any position...should help. Any superlatives help.

On the other hand you could make the case that physically speaking, Brian Urlacher broke and reset the mold for linebackers in this league. That itself is a good story to help make his case.

 

They're probably listing only Interception TDs, of which Urlacher has 2 and Thomas has 4. But Urlacher also has a fumble recovery TD and he scored an offensive TD as well.

 

Sound like a bunch of homers.




With good reason.

 

Zach Thomas played in 8 playoff games versus 7 playoff games for Brian Urlacher, by the way. That's just in case anyone thinks that Urlacher's teams were generally more successful. They were, in a way. Brian Urlacher's Bears were 110-98 from 2000 to 2012 with 7 playoff games. Zach Thomas' Dolphins and Cowboys were 106-102 from 1996 to 2008 with 8 playoff games.

 

Oh, I think they both have a legit 1st ballot case. I just don't think many pundits will agree with me on the ZT part of it, unfortunately.

 

which why urlacher was a top 10 pick and thomas fell into the 5th round

 

I just think if Thomas had won the genetic lottery like Urlacher did and was blessed with that size and speed, people would say Ray Lewis' chances are hurt because he was a contemporary of Zach's.

 

What it subconsciously boils down to is, despite an illustrious 13 year career and the leader of five top 5 defenses, Zach Thomas is viewed as inferior to Urlacher simply because Brian was a high 1st round pick with close to HOF type expectations the second he was drafted where as Thomas was a 5th round overachiever. The mentality will remain this way until Zach earns a trip to Canton b/c a HOF honor is strong enough to override their draft status and leave them viewed equally.

 

Those are where Urlacher stands out with his athleticism

 

Thats great, but those measurables don't change throughout their career.....Zach did just as much as Urlacher with far inferior gifts. But Urlacher will be clamored as a first ballot guy, and no one has spoken of Zach since he retired.

 

don't get me wrong, i agree with you